A year later, his family has shared a Christmas message to his many fans who are still mourning his passing. ("Yog" is a nickname for Michael, which comes from the pronunciation of his given name Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou.)

"This year has been a series of new and tough challenges for those of us close and loyal to Yog, not least of which was steeling ourselves this month, to hear ‘Last Christmas’ and ‘December Song’ streaming out of shops, cars, and radios, as it has done for decades, knowing he’s no longer here with us, missing him," reads the statement.

"This Christmas will be hard without him, but we know that we are not alone in our mourning the anniversary of his loss, and that the sadness of our wider family, and true friends, is shared by many of you.

"Yog, who loved Christmas, and always hoped it would snow… would want each of you that admired and loved him, (yes—he knows you did!!) to take a moment, raise a glass, enjoy his music and think of him fondly, making sure to enjoy your time with, and appreciate your family and friends."

They ended with a sad but still uplifting message about families and Christmas.

"As we all know Christmas is not always easy, life isn’t perfect, and families are complicated…

"So if you can, in his memory this year, take a moment and a deep breath and say those ‘I Love You’s’ out loud.
We all think there is time, don’t we? – but, just maybe, it’s later than you think…"

The image is the faces of Fawaz and Michael superimposed on each other.

Fawaz toldThe Sunday Mirror that he can't face staying in London this Christmas because of the lights and holiday spirit that he and Michael used to enjoy together.

Outside George Michael's former home in North London, fans have spent the last few days leaving tributes.

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Tributes for George Michael, one year after his death

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Tributes for George Michael, one year after his death

Tributes are left opposite the home of singer George Michael in The Grove, Highgate, London on the one year anniversary of his death. (Photo by Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)

Tributes are left opposite the home of singer George Michael in The Grove, Highgate, London on the one year anniversary of his death. (Photo by Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)

Tributes are left opposite the home of singer George Michael in The Grove, Highgate, London on the one year anniversary of his death. (Photo by Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)

Tributes are left opposite the home of singer George Michael in The Grove, Highgate, London on the one year anniversary of his death. (Photo by Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)

Tributes are left opposite the home of singer George Michael in The Grove, Highgate, London on the one year anniversary of his death. (Photo by Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)

Tributes are left at the home of singer George Michael in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on the one year anniversary of his death. (Photo by Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images)

Tributes are left at the home of singer George Michael in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on the one year anniversary of his death. (Photo by Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images)

Tributes are left at the home of singer George Michael in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on the one year anniversary of his death. (Photo by Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images)

Tributes are left at the home of singer George Michael in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on the one year anniversary of his death. (Photo by Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images)

Tributes are left at the home of singer George Michael in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on the one year anniversary of his death. (Photo by Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 23: The first anniversary approaches of the death of British and International pop legend George Michael on December 23, 2017 in London, England.
George Michael died in Goring on Thames on 25 December 2016. Many fans still visit and leave posthumous floral tributes at the George Michael memorial garden outside the singer's former home in North London
PHOTOGRAPH BY Amer Ghazzal / Barcroft Images (Photo credit should read Amer Ghazzal / Barcroft Images / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

Tributes are left at the home of singer George Michael in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on the one year anniversary of his death. (Photo by Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images)

Tributes are left at the home of singer George Michael in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on the one year anniversary of his death. (Photo by Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images)

Tributes are left at the home of singer George Michael in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on the one year anniversary of his death. (Photo by Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 23: The first anniversary approaches of the death of British and International pop legend George Michael on December 23, 2017 in London, England.
George Michael died in Goring on Thames on 25 December 2016. Many fans still visit and leave posthumous floral tributes at the George Michael memorial garden outside the singer's former home in North London
PHOTOGRAPH BY Amer Ghazzal / Barcroft Images (Photo credit should read amer ghazzal / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 23: The first anniversary approaches of the death of British and International pop legend George Michael on December 23, 2017 in London, England.
George Michael died in Goring on Thames on 25 December 2016. Many fans still visit and leave posthumous floral tributes at the George Michael memorial garden outside the singer's former home in North London
PHOTOGRAPH BY Amer Ghazzal / Barcroft Images (Photo credit should read Amer Ghazzal / Barcroft Images / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 23: The first anniversary approaches of the death of British and International pop legend George Michael on December 23, 2017 in London, England.
George Michael died in Goring on Thames on 25 December 2016. Many fans still visit and leave posthumous floral tributes at the George Michael memorial garden outside the singer's former home in North London
PHOTOGRAPH BY Amer Ghazzal / Barcroft Images (Photo credit should read Amer Ghazzal / Barcroft Images / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 23: The first anniversary approaches of the death of British and International pop legend George Michael on December 23, 2017 in London, England.
George Michael died in Goring on Thames on 25 December 2016. Many fans still visit and leave posthumous floral tributes at the George Michael memorial garden outside the singer's former home in North London
PHOTOGRAPH BY Amer Ghazzal / Barcroft Images (Photo credit should read Amer Ghazzal / Barcroft Images / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 23: The first anniversary approaches of the death of British and International pop legend George Michael on December 23, 2017 in London, England.
George Michael died in Goring on Thames on 25 December 2016. Many fans still visit and leave posthumous floral tributes at the George Michael memorial garden outside the singer's former home in North London
PHOTOGRAPH BY Amer Ghazzal / Barcroft Images (Photo credit should read Amer Ghazzal / Barcroft Images / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 23: The first anniversary approaches of the death of British and International pop legend George Michael on December 23, 2017 in London, England.
George Michael died in Goring on Thames on 25 December 2016. Many fans still visit and leave posthumous floral tributes at the George Michael memorial garden outside the singer's former home in North London
PHOTOGRAPH BY Amer Ghazzal / Barcroft Images (Photo credit should read amer ghazzal / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)